Japan Takes Small Step Forward on Same-Sex Marriage

A Japanese court has ruled that a ban on same-sex marriage is constitutional, but it raised concerns about the dignity and human rights of same-sex couples, a ruling short of activists' expectations but still seen as a step forward. Japan is the only Group of Seven nation without legal protection for same-sex unions. Five rulings on same-sex marriage have been handed down in Japan over the past two years, with two concluding the ban was unconstitutional, one saying it was not, and two, including Thursday's, upholding the ban but raising other rights concerns.